Monthly Archives: August 2011

The Ethicist, the Farkel Family, and the Perils of “Maybe”

Given a wrenching problem of hidden parentage, “The Ethicist” gives an equivocal and thus dangerous answer. Continue reading

45 Comments

Filed under Bioethics, Family, Gender and Sex, Health and Medicine, Love, Professions, Religion and Philosophy, Romance and Relationships

Ethics, History, and Robert Redford’s “The Conspirator”

I am a Lincoln assassination buff, and I was eager to see Robert Redford’s most recent film, “The Conspirator,” until I read several reviews criticizing it as a heavy-handed allegory attacking the Bush administration’s response to 9/11. Score one for the confirmation bias trap: I finally saw it on cable, and the movie is nothing of the kind.
It is a thoughtful and engrossing film that raises many issues, ethical, legal, governmental and historical. Bravo for Redford. Continue reading

3 Comments

Filed under Arts & Entertainment, Citizenship, Government & Politics, History, Law & Law Enforcement, Leadership, Popular Culture, War and the Military

God, Beck, and the Confirmation Bias Trap

Policy makers, decision-makers, journalists, and indeed all of us have an ethical obligation to be on the alert for confirmation bias, that insidious human tendency to interpret all external phenomena as confirmation of our established opinions and beliefs. Continue reading

2 Comments

Filed under Arts & Entertainment, Environment, Government & Politics, Journalism & Media, Religion and Philosophy, Research and Scholarship, Science & Technology, U.S. Society

A Damning Role Model For Wisconsin’s Public Union Protests

The ethical line between Fred Phelps’ anti-gay protesters who disrupt the funerals of soldiers killed in action, and the self-righteous union protesters opposing Wisconsin’s governor Scott Walker’s budget balancing efforts has thinned to the vanishing point. Continue reading

9 Comments

Filed under Citizenship, Education, Government & Politics, Professions, Religion and Philosophy, U.S. Society

Memorial Ethics, Part Two: The Betrayal of 9-11 Donors

In virtually every category of 9/11 nonprofit, an AP analysis of tax documents and other official records revealed lies, schemes, ineptitude, shady dealings, questionable expenses, sloppy record-keeping and deceit. Continue reading

10 Comments

Filed under Finance, Public Service, Philanthropy, Charity

Ethics Reading Assignment…

Some interesting ethics and morality posts from around the web. Continue reading

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Filed under Business & Commercial, Citizenship, Daily Life, Etiquette and manners, Government & Politics, Law & Law Enforcement, Public Service, Philanthropy, Charity, Religion and Philosophy, Research and Scholarship, U.S. Society, Workplace

“Look Out! There’s a Speed Trap Ahead!”

If I see a speeding motorist, I’m hoping he gets pulled over. It is a matter of public safety. Why does anyone consider it virtuous to take the side of a lawbreaker against law enforcement trying to maintain public order and safety? This isn’t a legitimate application of the Golden Rule. Continue reading

37 Comments

Filed under Citizenship, Law & Law Enforcement, U.S. Society

Comment of the Day on “Ethics Bob Opens An Ethics Can of Worms…”

Chase Martinez enters the debate on the ethics of Nike’s labor practices abroad in today’s Comment of the Day. Continue reading

7 Comments

Filed under Around the World, Business & Commercial, Citizenship, Comment of the Day, U.S. Society, Workplace

The Michigan Saloon Legislator Lock-Out: Not Quite “Here Comes The Bride” Unethical, But Wrong All The Same

The idea that businesses should take punitive actions against individuals because of their differing opinions on social and governing policies is offensive to our sense of community, societal cohesion and democracy. Continue reading

9 Comments

Filed under Business & Commercial, Citizenship, Environment, Government & Politics, Law & Law Enforcement, U.S. Society

Ethics Bob Opens An Ethics Can of Worms, All Named “Nike”

Ethics Bob opens an ethics can of worms with his latest post, “Is It Ethical For Nike To Make It’s Shoes $4 a Day?” Continue reading

18 Comments

Filed under Around the World, Business & Commercial, Sports, The Internet, Workplace